A Brentwood man is thought to be among the UK's first to be convicted of selling laughing gas after a landmark change in the law and was jailed for almost three years.
Thomas Salton, 31, of Hunters Court, Brentwood, was stopped by officers in Southernhay, Basildon, on December 1 and found with £38,000 in cash, ketamine and a number of nitrous oxide canisters.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, was classified as a Class C drug in November 2023 and anyone convicted of supplying the drug could face up to 14 years in prison.
Salton’s conviction for possessing nitrous oxide with intent to supply, is thought to be one of the first since the passing of a new law toughening the UK’s stance on the substance.
He was in the midst of a plan to supply a Christmas party with these substances.
Among the items seized was a "naughty and nice" list of customers who wanted party bags with drugs in, and those who did not.
After being stopped in the car in Basildon, officers noted Salton seemed "nervous" and a search uncovered just shy of £35,000 in cash in the rear seat and a further £3,965 in the centre console.
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The boot of the car was searched and officers found Christmas crackers, sweets, but also grip-sealed bags of ketamine and canisters of nitrous oxide.
Officers searched Salton's flat in William Hunter Way, Brentwood, and another address in Vange.
Salton pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply drugs at Class B and C in relation to ketamine and nitrous oxide at a hearing in January.
However, Salton denied possession with intent to supply Class A, instead admitting a simple possession charge.
Salton was jailed for two years and 11 months at a sentencing hearing at Southend Crown Court today (February 19).
Richard Potts, prosecuting, said: "At the defendant's flat in Brentwood was a Tag Heuer wrist watch with certificates was found'[.
"The Vange address saw officers find a red bag with packaging containing 965 grams of ketamine, a vacuum packaged bag of psilocybin mushrooms, bags of ketamine and 34 empty grip sealed bags and 408 units of nitrous oxide."
Rhys Rosser mitigated for Salton in court.
He said: "Mr Salton has a list of extremely impressive legitimate achievements which he's sought to continue whilst being in custody but this has proven extremely difficult.
"He has a vast list of positive character references and is very well regarded in the custodial institution he has been in for the past three months due to his work ethic."
Salton was sentenced to two years and 11 months in prison for possession with intent to supply ketamine and handed concurrent sentences for all other charges.
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